Wednesday's TV highlights

The cast Weeds starring Mary-Louise Parker.

TV ONE, 9.35pm
HOTEL BABYLON
Based on the behind-the-scenes and between-the-sheets book of the same name, this trashy Brit drama about a supposedly classy hotel out-rated Footballers' Wives in its homeland.

It boasts familiar faces in the brooding Max Beesley (Bodies), the brassy Tamzin Outhwaite (Red Cap, EastEnders) and cheeky monkey Dexter Fletcher (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Layer Cake).

In tonight's opener, head of reception Charlie Edwards (Beesley) wants the job as general manager. He must prove himself by trying to get a rock band to spend up large and trash the hotel.

Along the way Charlie learns he has a clever and manipulative rival in receptionist Anna (Emma Pierson), who also has a long-term plan to snare a wealthy bachelor guest.

Typecast Fletcher plays Tony Casemore, the concierge who can get his hands on anything at any time if the money's right.

PRIME, 9.30PM
WEEDS
The premiere of a new dramedy which stars Mary-Louise Parker as a widow, mother and main supplier of quality marijuana in her Californian suburb. Weeds boasts a fine cast, pithy writing and a perverse sense of humour (be prepared for language as daring as the subject matter). Elizabeth Perkins is nominated for an Emmy for her part as Celia, Nancy's stuffy neighbour, and the show's creator Jenji Kohan is a veteran writer for Mad About You, Sex and the City, and Gilmore Girls.

TV3, 9.30PM
PRISON BREAK
To regain control of the work team and restore their chances of escape, Abruzzi convinces Michael to tell Falzone where he can find Fibonacci. As Nick and Veronica wonder where Steadman's money went, the vice-president brings in an FBI crony to take over for Kellerman and Hale.

C4, 8PM
8TH & OCEAN
What to do if you're really good-looking? Launch your modelling career on a reality show, of course, one that's a mix of America's Next Top Model and Laguna Beach. This week, the agency's top model fails to show up for a shoot and Britt invites Sabrina to a church meeting. Oh, Lordy.


MOVIES
[rated out of 5]

8.30PM, RIALTO SKY DIGITAL
DOGVILLE
Herald rating: * * * *
Nicole Kidman is a woman on the run from the mob, who is reluctantly accepted by the community in a small Colorado town. (2003)

10.15PM, SKY MOVIES 1
THE BLUES BROTHERS
Herald rating: * * * *
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd only appeared in a handful of feature films together, and none was as good as this. With tremendous car chases and a long list of cameo appearances, it is a time capsule for blues and soul artists such as John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. (1980)